Creative Visual Representation

This year at Biola, I am a peer academic adviser. Basically this means that I help facilitate a First Year Seminar class of undecided freshmen as well as conduct informal advising for students. Part of our job is to help students understand their StrengthsQuest profile of five strengths (most freshmen at Biola have to take this test in their first semester). One way of exploring how our strengths interact with each other is to come up with a Create Visual Representation of our five strengths. Here is mine:

My five strengths are Responsibility, Learner, Achiever, Competition, and Analytical.

My analytical is the foundation for how I approach life. I want reasons and I want to see and understand cause and effect relationships. I am fairly logical in why I say and do many things. That is why analytical is the base of the 1.

As a learner, I enjoy the process of going from ignorance to competence. When I am studying something, I want to learn it fully and master it. In my spare time, I read Kierkegaard and St. Augustine. I enjoy the intellectual journey. My learner theme is a conduit for my achiever theme, which is why it is one side of the 1.

Competition is taller than learner, because my competition theme is rooted in comparison. I want to be the curve setter. I want to work for the best accounting firm. I want to win the state championships in soccer. I want the Seattle Seahawks to go the distance and win the Superbowl. Competition is a driving force behind my achiever theme, which is why it is also a side of the 1. (Just a side note, competition applies to my walk with God as well. I resonate heavily with 1 Corinthians 9:24 which says, "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize." This verse motivates to pursue God without abandon, not so that I can be holier than others, but my mindset is to pursue God as I would pursue 100% on a test or a shutout in a soccer game.)

My achiever theme is my inner fire to accomplish all that I do. a Big reason why I am able to carry 21 units, a job and still have a 4.0 and friends is because of my achiever theme. It is my kick to finish a task. For me, everyday starts at zero and I need to achiever something meaningful each day. So summers are hard for me to not have anything to do. Also, there is some sense in me that feels like I fail at blogging if I do not post everyday (blog achievement starts at zero each day too...). I am learning to soften the self-criticism side of this theme, but an achiever is a big part of who I am. It is on the top of the 1 because an achiever must be on top.

Responsibility is my number one theme and it is very evident in my life. Because of responsibility, I take commitments and integrity seriously. I also take ownership of tasks and projects. I see my actions as being tied very closely to those that I associate with, such as my school, my family and my job. For example I see all of my actions as a representation of Biola, especially to my non-christian friends. Responsibility is surrounding the 1 because it encompasses my motivations and desires. I achieve because I feel an obligation to pursue excellence for the glory of God. I learn well because I take ownership of the material. I compete because I want to honor my commitment to my team. I examine decisions because my choices impact more than just me.

The shape is a 1 because many of my strengths motivate me to be the best.

Finally, the colors are black and red, which are the colors of Biola. Because of the unique atmosphere and people of Biola, I have been able to unpack my strengths and really understand who I am.

One of the beautiful things that I have come to appreciate about StrengthsQuest is that each strength looks different when combine with other strengths. Therefore, you are not put in the same box of five strengths as numerous other people.

So in a nutshell (or a number), this is me :)